Published: 20 April 2005
From John Dennis
It was a bitterly cold night, with frost hovering to settle later, for the opening night of Reading Velodrome Racing?s opening fixture of the season at Palmer Park Stadium. However, despite the low temperatures four men set fire to the first A.W.Cycles sponsored Endurance race with a 27+ m.p.h. average speed over the 20 kilometres to lap the field for the second time as they completed the final lap.
It was multi-National Champion Bryan Taylor, V.C.Londres, who normally races at Herne Hill Velodrome in London, which is presently out of service, who started the flare up with Rob English, 21st Century Airports, Rob Richardson, Hounslow & District, and Tim Bedingfield, A.W.Cycles Team, adding fuel to the fire. These four had broken away from the field by half distance, and with 16 of the 44 laps still to go, took their first lap gain. They hammered past the field in determined style, with a few others trying desperately to join them, but to no avail. In full flight they gained space every lap until with just one lap to go they caught the field for a second time, with Taylor leading the onslaught for the finish line.
It was not a totally unexpected triumph for the Londoner, for he had dominated all four senior races through the evening, so he was a worthy recipient of the A.W.Cycles Yellow Endurance leader jersey at the evening?s close. As he pulled it over his head he remarked ?I?m not used to such aggressive speed over that distance ? at Herne Hill the racing is rather more gentle?. It was Rob English, home from his winter spent working in Lanzarote, and Rob Richardson hiding his 40+ years, who fuelled the high speed, with Tim Bedingfield, a newcomer to Reading racing showing that he will prove to be a difficult man to beat as he settles down to the sport.
Reading Velodrome, well known for its nurturing of riders, mainly through its Palmer Park Velo youth club, looks as if it will produce a next generation of International champions following in the footsteps of Bradley Wiggins, the triple medal winner at the Athens Olympics who started his racing career at the track.
Sam Serruya showed undoubted quality by winning all four, Under 16 years races in the Youth League. Officials confidently expect him to be a strong force in National events this year, and in the Under 14 years section, Chris Legg shows equal promise.
Results
Youth League
6 laps Block Handicap: U16. 1. Sam Serruya, Palmer Park Velo, 2. Chris Bradbury, PPV, 3. Robert Clark, PPV.
U14. 1. Chris Legg, PPV, 2.Mark Baxter, PPV, 3. Rob Jackson, Agiskoviner,
U12. 1. Stephen Bradbury, PPV, 2. Richard Barlow, PPV, 3. Rosie Serruya, PPV.
1 lap Time Trial: U16. 1. Sam Serruya, 2. Ed Allen, Twickenham CC, 3. Ben Lowe, Twickenham CC.
U14. 1. Chris Legg, 2. Emily Hogge, PPV, 3. Rob Jackson.
U12 1. Richard Barlow, 2. Emily Clarke, PPV, 3. Stephen Bradbury.
Hare & Hounds:U16 1. Sam Serruya, 2. Chris Bradbury, 3. Ben Lowe
U14 1. Mark Baxter, 2. Chris Legg, 3. Emily Hogge.
U12 1. Stephen Bradbury, 2. Richard Barlow, 3. Emily Clark.
10 laps Scratch:U16. 1. Ed Allen, 2. Ben Lowe, 3. Chris Bradbury
U14. 1. Chris Legg, 2. Mark Baxter, 3. Rob Jackson.
U12. 1. Stephen Bradbury, 2. Richard Barlow, 3. Emily Clark.
Senior League
10 laps Scratch:A riders. 1. Bryan Taylor, V.C.Londres, 2. Rob Richardson, Hounslow & District, 3. Nick Dawes, Farnborough & Camberley.
B riders. 1. Dave Dentus, Willesden CC. 2. Tim Bedingfield, A.W.Cycles.co.uk, 3. Nicholas Peacock, London Dynamo.
Ladies: 1. Carrie Bedingfield, A.W. Cycles.co.uk, 2. Abby Jackson, Team Luciano-Trek, 3. Rohan Battinson, Reading CC.
1 lap Time Trial:A riders. 1. B.Taylor, 36.51 secs, 2. N.Dawes, 37.03 secs, 3. Rob English, 21st Century Airports, 37.25secs.
B riders, 1. Ben Dallison, Twickenham, 35.92s, 2. Richard Guthrie,D.C.C. 36.68s, 3. N.Peacock, 37.86s.
Ladies. 1. C.Bedingfield, 40.98, 2. A.Jackson, 41.57s, 3. Cheryl Owens, 41.79s.
Devil:1. B.Taylor, 2. R.English, 3. D.Dentus
Unknown Distance:1. B.Taylor, 2. R.English, 3. R. Richardson
A.W.Cycles 20 kms Scratch:A riders 1. B.Taylor, 2. R.Richardson, 3. R.English
B riders 1. T.Bedingfield, 2. N.Peacock, 3. Ian Greenstreet, Newbury R.C. Time 28m.40s.